RFID security device for optical disc

ABSTRACT

An optical disc has a security feature in the form of an RFID tag that communicates with a voltage controlled optical modifier layer in the optical disc. In the presence of an interrogation signal, the RFID tag allows the optical disc to be used normally by outputting a voltage to the optical modifier layer. In the absence of an interrogation signal, the optical modifier layer prevents a laser from reading from or writing on the optical disc. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to security devices for optical discs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Theft of intellectual property is a very prominent topic in theentertainment industries. Technologies to copy audio and videorecordings have plagued the industry for many years. The advent ofdigital recordings has, in the eyes of the entertainment industries,exacerbated the problem. In the past, analog copies got progressivelyworse such that eventually any copies made from the previous copy wereworthless. Digital copies, each of which is just as pristine and preciseas the previous copy, remove the previous limitation on repetitivecopying.

While the creation of illegal copies is troublesome to the entertainmentindustry, equally troubling is the theft of authorized copies of theworks from retail outlets, jukeboxes, and the like. Shoplifting andsimilar theft account for extensive lost revenue for the entertainmentindustry. Optical discs, such as CDs and DVDs, because of theirrelatively small size, are easy targets for such theft and account for asubstantial portion of those losses.

Still other security concerns surround optical discs. Where the disccontains sensitive information, the loss and subsequent accessing of adisc may create problems for the person or entity whose information maybe on the disc. Such information could be financial information,personal information, or confidential government information.

Thus, there remains a need for a device or technique that helps ensurethat optical discs may not be read unless used in an authorized discreader or cannot be used until after their use has been authorized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention uses a specially created optical disc. The opticaldisc may comprise a base layer, an aluminum layer with data carryingpits, a voltage controlled optical modifier layer, a covering layer, anda radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The RFID tag is associatedwith the voltage controlled optical modifier layer such that when theRFID tag is in the presence of an appropriate electromagnetic field, theRFID tag sends instructions to the voltage controlled optical modifierlayer to control the ability of an optical reader to read data on thedisc.

The instructions to the voltage controlled optical modifier layer may bedesigned to render the optical modifier layer transparent such that thedata carrying pits may be read, or may render the layer opaque such thatthe data carrying pits may not be read. Further, the instructions andthe optical modifier layer may be designed such that once the layer hasbeen changed, the layer remains that way. The RFID tag may be responsiveto different protocols or commands such that the RFID tag causes thevoltage controlled optical modifier layer to behave differentlydepending on the protocol or command received.

In an exemplary embodiment, the voltage controlled optical modifierlayer may be formed from a liquid crystal material or other materialwhich changes its refractive index in the presence or absence of avoltage.

The present invention has several uses, such as a security device foroptical discs having sensitive information. The information may only bereadable by an optical disc player that includes the appropriate type ofRFID interrogator. The present invention may be used in a jukebox systemsuch that the disc is rendered opaque unless used in an authorizedjukebox. The present invention may be used as an electronic articlesurveillance (EAS) device in retail environments where unless theoptical disc is interrogated at a cash register, the disc is unreadable.After interrogation during a sales transaction, the optical modifierlayer may be instructed to become transparent such that the disc may beused normally. The present invention may also be used in pay per playactivities, and software authentication and payment over a networkschemes.

An alternate embodiment may combine an all optical portion of an opticaldisc with the RFID tag for the same security purposes. If the alloptical portion is not properly interrogated by a laser, the opticaldisc may be illegible.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentinvention and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an optical disc with an RFID tag disposed thereon;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the optical disc, takenalong line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified disc player with an RFID interrogator;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart generally outlining an exemplary use ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart outlining use of the present inventionwith optical discs containing sensitive information;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart outlining use of the present inventionfor software authentication and payment via a network;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart outlining use of the present inventionin a pay per play activity;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart outlining use of the present inventionin a jukebox activity;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart outlining use of the present inventionin a retail anti-theft activity; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an optical disc with an all optical portion forsecurity purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustratethe best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the followingdescription in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilledin the art will understand the concepts of the invention and willrecognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressedherein. It should be understood that these concepts and applicationsfall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims.

The present invention is well suited for use with optical discs, such asan optical disc 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The optical disc 10 comprisesa center hole 12, a non-information bearing center annulus 14, and aninformation bearing annulus 16, as is well understood. The optical disc10 may be a compact disc, a DVD, a mini disc, or the like, but isdesigned to store information or executable applications on the opticaldisc 10 for later recovery and usage by a data processing device such asa computer or audio/visual player. The optical disc 10 may further havea radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 18 positioned somewhere onthe optical disc 10.

The RFID tag 18 may be comparable to the MICROINSERT or ONETAG chipspreviously sold by the assignee of the present invention. These devicesare embodiments of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/618,505, filed 18Jul. 2000 and Ser. No. 09/678,271, filed 3 Oct. 2000, both of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. These RFID tags 18are capable of interaction with Intermec's INTELLITAG interrogators, andhave been expounded upon in several commonly owned applications, such asU.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/125,786 and 10/125,783, both filed18 Apr. 2002, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties. The ONETAG and the MICROINSERT chips embody both anactive and a passive sort of transponder, and both types arecontemplated for use in the present invention. The RFID tag 18 may beoperative at any number of frequencies, but specifically contemplatedare bands centered around 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, and 2450 MHz.

In an exemplary embodiment, the RFID tag 18 is positioned on thenon-information bearing center annulus 14 and uses an antenna 19associated with the optical disc 10 according to the teachings of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/131,576, filed 24 Apr. 2002, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other antennas 19 mayalso be used, such as a coil antenna for low frequencies, a dipoleantenna, a patch antenna, an F antenna, or the like as needed ordesired. The coupling to the antenna 19 may be through any appropriatemeans such as electric, electromagnetic, magnetic, electrostatic, or thelike using appropriate elements such as capacitive or inductive reactiveelements,

The optical disc 10 is illustrated in cross-sectional form in FIG. 2,wherein it can be seen that the optical disc 10 begins with a centralpolycarbonate layer 20, covered with an aluminum layer 22 having datacarrying pits (not illustrated) thereon. In the event that the opticaldisc 10 is a double-sided DVD (illustrated), the aluminum layer 22 maybe present on both sides of the polycarbonate layer 20. Associated withthe aluminum layer 22 is a voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24.The voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24 is operativelyconnected to an output voltage provided by the RFID tag 18. The voltagecontrolled optical modifier layer 24 may, in an exemplary embodiment, bea liquid crystal material which scatters or alters the polarization ofillumination. An appropriate liquid crystal material comprises a twistednematic type, which can make the disc either reflective, where the laserbeam passes through the liquid crystal material and can read the bits inthe aluminum layer 22, or non-reflective, where the layers form a crosspolarized filter. Alternatively, materials could be used which changetheir refractive index such that they defocus an illuminating laserspot. Other materials could be a controllable mirrored surface behindthe optical layer that could control readability. As yet another option,a piezoelectric layer, such as the plastic film Polyvinyl DienylFlouride, could be used that distorts the surface of the optical disc 10such that an auto-focusing laser cannot track the changes in the surfacefast enough. Another option is to include an electrochromic material sothat the monotone color of the laser is selectively absorbed. An exampleof such a electrochromic material is Lutecium diphatyolcyanine.

While a plurality of materials could be used, the desired end result isthat the disc is unreadable unless the RFID tag 18 has applied an outputvoltage to bias the voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24properly. For more information on this topic, reference is made to GreatBritain Patent GB 2,354,834, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety. The RFID tag 18 only produces the proper output voltagewhen the RFID tag 18 has received the proper authorization from aninterrogator 32 (see FIG. 3).

Finally, capping the optical disc 10 is a covering layer 26 whichprotects the optical disc 10 from causal nicks, scratches and the like.Such covering layers are conventional in the industry of optical discs10, and may be made from a polycarbonate material.

An example of the optical disc 10 in use is illustrated in FIG. 3,wherein an optical disc player 28 includes a laser head 30 that readsfrom and/or writes to the optical disc 10 as is well understood. Theoptical disc player 28 further may include an interrogator 32, such asan interrogator sold by INTERMEC or the like. It should be appreciatedthat while the interrogator 32 is shown inside the optical disc player28, the interrogator 32 could be a hand held, portable, or stationaryunit positioned outside the optical disc player 28.

The optical disc player 28 may have a processor, such as a CPU 34 thatcontrols the interrogator 32 and the laser head 30. The CPU 34 mayfurther communicate to a remote location through a modem 36.Alternatively, or additionally, the interrogator 32 may also have amodem 38 for communication to a remote location. In both instances, theremote location may be connected to through a network such as theInternet, the PSTN, or other communication network. The modems 36 and 38may each be a wireless modem, an ISDN modem, a phone line modem, a cablemodem, or the like as needed or desired. The modem 38 may be duplicativein the instance where the interrogator 32 is built into the optical discreader 28, and is more likely to be present when the interrogator 32 isa distinct entity from the optical disc reader 28.

It should be appreciated that the components of FIG. 3 may be furtherrearranged. For example, a conventional personal computer with aDVD/CDRW drive and an interrogator associated therewith is particularlycontemplated for use with the present invention.

A general use of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, withparticularly contemplated embodiments being presented in FIGS. 5-9.Initially, an optical disc 10 according to the present invention isplaced into an optical disc player 28 (block 100). The optical discplayer 28 turns on the laser head 30 (block 102). The voltage controlledoptical modifier layer 24 is initially opaque or otherwise diffuses thelaser from the laser head 30, and thus the laser is not returned to thelaser head 30 for interpretation (block 104).

The interrogator 32 is also turned on and communicates with the RFID tag18 on the optical disc 10 (block 106). This interrogation may occurconcurrently with the initial use of the laser, before the laser head 30is turned on, or subsequently as needed or desired. In response to thepresence of an interrogation signal from the interrogator 32, the RFIDtag 18 outputs a voltage to the voltage controlled optical modifierlayer 24 (block 108).

The voltage applied to the voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24causes the characteristics of the voltage controlled optical modifierlayer 24 to change (block 110) such that the pits in the aluminum layer22 are now readable by the laser. The laser head 30 now gets a returnsignal from the laser bouncing off the pits in the aluminum layer 22(block 112). The return signal is demodulated and interpreted as isconventional, and the optical disc player 28 provides the signal to anoutput device for playback or the like as needed or desired. Note thatit is possible that the optical disc player 28 will always get a returnsignal at the laser head 30 if the interrogation signal is sent at theappropriate time. Variations on this process include requiring acontinuous interrogation signal from the interrogator 32 such that ifthe interrogation signal is ever absent, the optical disc 10 becomesunreadable again.

Alternatively, the voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24 mayremain modified for a predetermined amount of time corresponding to asingle playing of the contents of the optical disc 10, or other timeframe as needed or desired. In an exemplary embodiment of this concept,the RFID tag 18 may be associated with a capacitor (not shown) that theRFID tag 18 charges to a known threshold voltage. The threshold voltageis applied to the voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24 and keptin a condition that allows the optical disc 10 to be read. A resistor orother mechanism may be used to slowly discharge the capacitor over time.In a preferred embodiment, the rate of discharge is selected so that apredefined time elapses before the voltage controlled optical modifierlayer 24 changes to a state in which the optical disc 10 is notreadable. As another option, the RFID tag 18 may store enough charge ina capacitor to drive a low energy clock device that counts cycles untila predetermined time period has elapsed, at which time the RFID tag 18may discharge the capacitor or otherwise modify the behavior of thevoltage controlled optical modifier layer 24. As yet another option, ifthe optical disc 10 included a photo-voltaic layer (as illustrated inFIG. 10), the use of the laser could remove charge from the layer. Thus,after a number of usages of the optical disc 10, the layer would bedischarged and the optical disc 10 would be unreadable. A filter couldbe used to insure that the laser, and not sunlight, discharged thephoto-voltaic layer. Still other time delay discharge mechanisms couldbe used as needed or desired.

As yet another option, the presence of a proper interrogation signal maycause the RFID tag 18 to instruct the voltage controlled opticalmodifier layer 24 to change permanently such that no furtherinterrogation is required to use the optical disc 10. These conceptswill be explored in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 5-9.

The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 5 is appropriate for any situationwhere an optical disc 10 contains or will contain sensitive orconfidential information. Such situations include personal information,financial information, and/or military or government information.Initially, the optical disc 10 is placed into an optical disc player 28(block 150). The optical disc 10 is initially non-useable by the opticaldisc player 28. Specifically, the optical disc player 28 may not readthe optical disc 10 nor write to the optical disc 10 (block 152). Theuser may then introduce an interrogation signal through an interrogator32 (block 154). The interrogator 32 may be integral with the opticaldisc player 28 or an external device, such as a battery powered key heldnear the optical disc player 28 and sending the interrogation signalthrough the walls of the optical disc player 28 to the RFID tag 18. Withthe presence of the interrogation signal, the RFID tag 18 outputs avoltage and changes the optical qualities of the voltage controlledoptical modifier layer 24 (block 156).

If the optical disc 10 is a write once, read only, or read-write disc,these abilities are enabled in the presence of the interrogation signal(block 158). In the event that the optical disc 10 is a write once disc,a memory (not shown) may be used to track whether or not the disc hasbeen written on. The memory may interface with the RFID tag 18 such thatthe optical disc 10 may not have another write command executed thereon.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment wherein software is authenticated andpaid for via a network, such as the Internet. In this embodiment, theoptical disc player 28 or the interrogator 32 may have a connection to aremote location, such as modems 36 and/or 38 or network connections. Anoptical disc 10 is inserted into the optical disc player 28 (block 200).The optical disc player 28 turns on the laser head 30 and fails todetect a return signal (block 202). The CPU 34 may detect this failedreturn signal and generate a command that a connection be made to aremote location over the network (block 204) so that an authorization touse the optical disc 10 may be secured. The address or contactinformation for the remote location may be located on a portion of theoptical disc 10 that is not occluded by the voltage controlled opticalmodifier layer 24. Alternatively, the optical disc player 28 and/orinterrogator 32 may connect automatically to a particular remotelocation. The remote location may query the CPU 34 or other device todetermine what sort of command triggered the activation of the opticaldisc player 28. If the command was an installation command or a playcommand, the process may continue. If, however, the command was a copycommand, the process may terminate.

The remote location initiates a payment transaction (block 206). Thus,payment information may be secured from the individual trying to use theoptical disc 10. Payment information may be secured through a creditcard reader, manual entry through a keyboard, or other appropriate meansas needed or desired. Payment may be made on a pay per use schedule, apay per installation schedule, or other schedule as needed or desired.Upon satisfaction that payment has been secured, the remote location maysend a signal to the interrogator 32 to generate an appropriateinterrogation signal (block 208). This signal may be routed through theCPU 34 or directly to the interrogator 32 as needed or desired anddepending on the existence of the modem 38. The interrogation signal isgenerated, and the RFID tag 18 receives the interrogation signal (block210). The voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24 changes and thelaser head 30 generates a return signal (block 212). The installation orplaying of the contents of the optical disc 10 may proceed (block 214).

In a similar vein, the present invention may be used to authorize payper view movies or other pay per play activities. This is illustrated inFIG. 7. The process is very similar in that the optical disc 10 isinserted into the optical disc player 28 (block 250). The optical discplayer 28 turns on the laser head 30 with a command to read the opticaldisc 10 and receives no return signal (block 252). Recognizing theabsence of a return signal, the CPU 34 or other entity establishes aremote connection (block 254). The address or contact information forthe remote location may be located on a portion of the optical disc 10that is not occluded by the voltage controlled optical modifier layer24. Alternatively, the optical disc player 28 and/or interrogator 32 mayconnect automatically to a particular remote location.

Once in communication with the remote location, a payment transactionmay be initiated (block 256) to authorize a single playing of thecontent on the optical disc 10. The remote location may query the CPU 34to see if the user is in fact trying to play the optical disc 10 or copythe optical disc 10. If the latter, the payment transaction may becanceled or never initiated. In this manner, copying may be hindered.

Once payment is secured, the remote location may authorize theinterrogation signal (block 258). Payment information may be securedthrough a credit card reader, manual entry through a keyboard, or otherappropriate means as needed or desired. Payment may be made on a pay peruse schedule, a pay per installation schedule, or other schedule asneeded or desired. The interrogator 32 generates the interrogationsignal, which is received by the RFID tag 18 on the optical disc 10(block 260). The RFID tag 18 outputs the needed voltage to change theproperties of the voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24, and thelaser may now generate a return signal that is received by the laserhead 30 (block 262). The content on the optical disc 10 may then beplayed (block 264). A memory associated with the CPU 34, theinterrogator 32, or the RFID tag 18 may track when it is appropriate forthe voltage output by the RFID tag 18 to change such that the opticaldisc 10 is no longer readable, i.e., after one playing of the content.

Still another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8, wherein a jukebox(not specifically illustrated) or similar playing device may contain aplurality of optical discs 10 with content thereon. Each of theseoptical discs 10 represents an investment, which if stolen wouldfinancially injure the jukebox operator. For the purposes of thisembodiment, the jukebox is analogous to the optical disc player 28, asthe jukebox would contain an optical disc player 28 to function. To helpprevent such theft, the present invention is useful. The optical discs10 are placed in the jukebox (block 300). The jukebox may generate thedesired interrogation signal throughout the jukebox (block 302).Alternatively, the interrogation signal may be limited to the area inand around the optical disc player 28 within the jukebox. In eitherevent, the optical discs 10 play normally (block 304) while within thejukebox. At some point, an optical disc 10 may be removed from thejukebox, and thus removed from the presence of the interrogation signal(block 306). In the absence of the interrogation signal, the RFID tag 18on the optical disc 10 does not generate the needed output voltage tochange the optical qualities of the voltage controlled optical modifierlayer 24, and thus the optical disc 10 no longer plays (block 308).While this does not prevent theft, it removes the incentive for thetheft because the thief no longer has a usable optical disc 10, nor willanyone buy such a non-functioning optical disc 10.

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9. This embodiment is directedto helping reduce or prevent theft in a retail environment. Thisembodiment requires that the voltage controlled optical modifier layer24 be stable at two different states. The first state causes thealuminum layer 22 to be illegible. The second state allows the aluminumlayer 22 to be legible. More information on bi-stable materials may befound in the previously incorporated '834 British patent. Either stateshould be able to be maintained absent a signal from the RFID tag 18,but a signal from the RFID tag 18 may cause the voltage controlledoptical modifier layer 24 to transition between these two states. Theuse of this two state voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24begins when the optical disc 10 is put in the first illegible state(block 350). This may be done during manufacturing, arrival at a retailenvironment, or other time as needed or desired.

A consumer purchases the optical disc 10 at an authorized location(block 352). This may entail picking the optical disc 10 off a rack in astore and approaching a cash register location or similar activity as iswell understood. The clerk at the retail establishment secures paymentfor the optical disc 10 (block 354). Payment may be made through anyconventional technique such as cash, check, credit card, debit card, orthe like. The clerk then subjects the optical disc 10 to aninterrogation signal generated proximate the authorized location (block356). The interrogation signal may be generated by a portable, handheldinterrogator 32, or the interrogator 32 may be integrated into a pointof sale device such as a cash register or the like as needed or desired.

The RFID tag 18 receives the interrogation signal and outputs a voltageto the voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24 (block 358). Thevoltage controlled optical modifier layer 24 changes to the second,legible state (block 360), and the consumer may use the optical disc 10normally (block 362). The voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24stays in the second legible state indefinitely.

The present invention is not limited to simply changing the voltagecontrolled optical modifier layer 24 as described with respect to FIG.8, but may also be combined with an electronic article surveillance(EAS) function, stock control, or logistics. If, for example, the RFIDtag 18 operates at a center frequency of 13.56 MHz, when theinterrogation signal is sent to the RFID tag 18 in block 356 to make thedisc legible, a flag may also be set in the memory of the RFID tag 18.This flag may indicate that the optical disc 10 has been legitimatelypurchased. Still other flags may be set, or incorporated into the firstflag. The other flags may indicate from whence the optical disc 10 waspurchased as well as timestamp. Scanners at the store exit will sound analarm if an RFID tag 18 with the incorrect flag is detected. Suchscanners and flag setting are common in the EAS art. This adds to thesecurity and also helps prevent theft where a product is taken from theshelves and then taken directly to a refund station, with a claim thatthe receipt has been lost. The dual security measures may be a powerfuldeterrent to theft.

Note that the embodiment of FIG. 9 may also be used in other non-retailestablishments, such as a library for example, and need not berestricted to retail establishments. Further, while this embodiment doesnot prevent theft of the optical discs 10 per se, it does remove theincentive for the theft as the optical disc 10 is worthless if theinterrogation signal has not been applied to change the voltagecontrolled optical modifier layer 24 to its second, legible state.

Numerous variations to the concept are possible. For example, theconcept may also be applied to optical memory cards, such as those usedby the United States Department of Defense. Another option is theall-optical tag/disc 50 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Such an optical disc50 is similar to an optical disc 10 in that it contains a center hole52, an non-information bearing annulus 54, and an information bearingannulus 56. An RFID tag 18 may be positioned on the optical disc 50 aspreviously described and connected to an voltage controlled opticalmodifier layer 24 as previously described. Further, the RFID tag 18 maybe connected to a photo-voltaic area 58 of amorphous silicon or apolymeric semiconductor. Alternatively, the photo-voltaic area 58 may bea pyroelectric area. To use the optical disc 50, an optical disc writermust first attempt to write a specified code to the photo-voltaic area58, producing a voltage which powers up the RFID tag 18. The modulationof the laser provides a data input to the RFID tag 18, which, ifcorrect, allows the RFID tag 18 to either clear the voltage controlledoptical modifier layer 24 temporarily for reading, or by using thebi-state stable material discussed above, permanently enables the use ofthe optical disc 50. This technique may be used by itself or inconjunction with an interrogation signal as needed or desired forflexibility in assigning security protocols or the like.

Note further that while in general the presence or absence of aninterrogation signal has been used to trigger the RFID tag 18 to sendthe voltage signal to the voltage controlled optical modifier layer 24,it is also possible that the RFID tag 18 may be interrogated and respondin a normal fashion until the interrogator 32 sends a predefined datasequence which causes the RFID tag 18 to accept commands. After receiptand acknowledgment of this predefined data sequence, the interrogator 32may send a command to the RFID tag 18 to provide the desired outputvoltage that causes the change in the voltage controlled opticalmodifier layer 24.

Note that while the present discussion has been phrased in terms ofdisabling an entire optical disc 10, it is possible that only a portionof the optical disc 10 may be disabled to achieve the same results. Forexample, disabling the country code and index information on a DVD maymake the DVD unreadable and achieve the same results.

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present invention. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

1. A method of operating an optical disc player to protect informationon an optical disc, the method comprising: requesting authorization tointerrogate an optical disc of the type having an RFID tag and avoltage-controlled optical modifier layer; and upon receipt of theauthorization, interrogating the optical disc with a predefined signalto control the optical modifier layer with the RFID tag so that at leasta portion of a content layer on the optical disc is accessible in thepresence of the predefined signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theoptical modifier layer is controlled by changing a refractive index ofthe optical modifier layer with an output voltage of the RFID tag sothat a laser cannot read from or write to the content layer.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the optical modifier layer comprises amaterial selected from the group consisting of: a liquid crystalmaterial, a piezoelectric material, and a controllable mirroredmaterial.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said interrogating theoptical disc comprises interrogating the optical disc with aninterrogator integrated into the optical disc player.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the request for authorization is transmitted to aremote location.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisinginterrogating the optical disc with the predetermined signal for apredetermined amount of time that corresponds to a single playing of theoptical disc.
 7. A method of controlling access to content on an opticaldisc, the method comprising: receiving a request for authorization tointerrogate an optical disc having an optical modifier layer, whereinthe optical modifier layer is configured to preclude reading at least aportion of the content from the optical disc if an interrogation with apredefined signal is not being provided to an RFID tag associated withthe optical disc; and in response to the request, providingauthorization to interrogate the optical disc with the predefined signalso that the precluded content can be read from the optical disc.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the request for authorization is receivedfrom an optical disc player at a remote location.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the request for authorization is received over a network. 10.The method of claim 7, further comprising initiating a paymenttransaction prior to providing the authorization.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising providing the authorization to interrogatethe optical disc after receiving an indication that payment has beenreceived.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the content on the opticaldisc comprises video content.
 13. The method of claim 7, wherein thecontent on the optical disc comprises software content that isexecutable by a computer when the software content is read.
 14. A discplayer system for protecting information on an optical disc, the systemcomprising: an electronic device that includes: a processor and a laserhead configured to read content from an optical disc of the type havinga content layer and a voltage-controlled optical modifier layer; and aninterrogator, controlled by the processor, that selectively interrogatesthe optical disc with a predetermined signal that causes an RFID tagassociated with the optical disc to output a voltage to thevoltage-controlled optical modifier layer in response to theinterrogation so that the laser can read the content layer.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the laser head is configured to write to theoptical disc.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the voltage-controlledoptical modifier layer prevents at least a portion of the content layerfrom being read by the electronic device unless the RFID tag outputs thevoltage to the voltage-controlled optical modifier layer in response tothe interrogation.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the predeterminedsignal is generated by the processor.
 18. The system of claim 14,wherein the interrogator communicates a data sequence configured tocause the RFID tag to accept commands and further communicates a commandconfigured to cause the RFID tag to provide the output voltage to thevoltage-controlled optical modifier layer.
 19. The system of claim 14,wherein the content plays for a predetermined period of time, andwherein the processor controls the interrogator to interrogate theoptical disc for a period of time equal to the playing time of thecontent.
 20. The system of claim 14, further comprising means forrequesting an authorization to interrogate the optical disc with thepredefined signal, wherein the authorization is sought from a remotelocation.